LEADERS & LEGENDS
THIS PAST SEPTEMBER DURING
HOMAGE
KINDNESS IS KEY INSTALLS
Kimberly Trainer of Car-Tunes, Inc. talks priorities, goals and the importance of sharing knowledge.
This 2022 Mercedes Sprinter might be the ultimate when it comes to traveling in comfort and stealth camping.
FEATURES
12// Industry Awards: 2025
Announcing the coming year’s Top 50 Retailers, Top 50 Installers and Top 20 Sales Pros.
22// Hall of Fame: On the Shoulders of Giants
At KnowledgeFest Dallas this past September, attendees honored the inaugural class of the Mobile Electronics Industry Hall of Fame, whose contributions profoundly shaped the industry.
44// Hot Sellers: The Cost of Quality
Salespeople discuss top sellers and how to overcome price objections.
48// Model Mentor: It All Adds Up
Kimberly Trainer, owner of Car-Tunes, balances budget, business and family with a faith-based credo, crediting Burger King for the start of her business education.
54// Strategy and Tactics: The Building Blocks
There are many aspects to building a business on a solid foundation, poised for growth. Here are just a few.
This month, we pay homage to a group of industry pioneers who were recognized in September at KnowledgeFest Dallas during the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame ceremony. This ceremony, the first of its kind, seeks to honor those who’ve shaped the industry with their unique contributions.
EDITOR’SFORUMROSASOPHIA•
MANAGING EDITOR
LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER
With the announcement of the inaugural class of the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame, we acknowledge the fortitude, dedication and perseverance of those who came before us.
In this issue, we highlight an important first for KnowledgeFest. This past September in Dallas, the inaugural class of the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame was announced during a powerful and heart-warming ceremony. In the Hall of Fame feature in this issue, we invite readers to learn about these giants of the industry. We’re a small community, so it’s likely you knew some of them, or even all of them.
What did you learn from them? If you never knew them, how might their choices, their lives and their spirits inspire you today?
DRAWING FROM THE DEEPEST WELL
When we learn from others, if we pay close attention, we can learn about ourselves: How we respond to conflicts, how we assimilate information and how we grow—or fail to grow—from our mistakes. Consider a recent situation you might’ve dealt with at work or in your personal life. If you could handle it differently, what would you change?
This coming month, I’ll be graduating from Florida International University with a master’s degree in creative writing. I’ll sit in front of a committee of professors and defend my thesis as part of the process.
I know I’m nervous, but I’m also prepared. And if there’s one thing we can learn from the Hall of Fame inductees, it’s that planning and preparation go a long way toward securing a positive outcome.
Let’s take this time to give thanks to all those who’ve paved the way for us—and for all those friends and mentors we’re yet to meet. “ ”
In writing my thesis, I drew inspiration from my background in automotive technology as well as my experiences in the 12-volt industry. The title of the book is—here we go—Infinite Baffle: A Poetic Memoir.
WE STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US
Whenever I face a challenge, I aim to center myself. This is a meditative practice in which I quiet my mind and try to be as present as possible. If we can do this, we can learn to draw from a deep well of strength. We might find ourselves envisioning the face of a teacher or a mentor, someone who helped build our confidence. Someone who taught us perseverance. Someone we admire.
A teacher once reminded me that we’re all standing on the shoulders of those who’ve come before us. For me, this is a humbling thought: As I looked toward my teacher, I envisioned all the other instructors, professors, friends and mentors he’d learned from over the years. It’s important to be open to the lessons we might learn from others, whether we’ve known them for years or only a moment.
We’re all teachers. We all learn from one another, whether we know it or not. Let’s take this time to give thanks to all those who’ve paved the way for us—and for all those friends and mentors we’re yet to meet.
SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY
Ben Freeman, Justin Marks and Phil Cantu discuss personal and professional growth as well as ensuring customer satisfaction.
“Something I’ve seen happen is when you deliver a car to a disappointed customer when you’ve spent hours, days or even weeks on it. It’s exciting showing a customer something you’re very proud of and are absolutely sure they’re going to love. But sometimes that isn’t the case. Whether it wasn’t properly qualifying the customer’s expectations, overselling a product’s capabilities or just plain ignoring their vision and substituting your own—it happens and it’s unfortunate. This problem, I believe, falls on the team as a whole. From the salesperson to the installer, it takes everyone communicating with one another to ensure you’re meeting or exceeding the customer’s wishes. Listen carefully to what the customer tells you and make suggestions, but don’t dominate the conversation. Keep them involved in the project and remember you’re building their dream car, not yours.”
-Ben Freeman, Traffic Jams Motorsports, Buford, Ga.
“Take full advantage at every opportunity to learn and get training. Seek mentorship. There’re many resources and classes available for every aspect of what we do. Seek it out and focus on one thing at a time to be better than you were the day before. It won’t happen overnight, but over time you will eventually get where you want to be if you truly want it.”
- Phil Cantu, Mobile Toys, College Station, Texas
“I want to get better. If you create an expectation of your tech, but you haven’t trained them to execute at that level, that’s on you. You didn’t invest in them to get there, but you have the expectation. Where’s the motivation for your employee to get better?”
- Justin Marks, Team Witt Customs, Madison, Tenn.
94 locations serving you nationwide and into Canada.
■ Family owned and operated
■ Personalized service
■ FREE online ordering
■ Toll free phone lines
■ Spanish bilingual call center
■ Full service IT staff to manage networks, infrastructure, phones, data and security
■ Over 900 product lines
■ Over 3 million sq. ft. of warehouse space
■ Company owned fleet
■ 500+ trucks serve 48 states direct
■ 12 distribution centers
Mobile Electronics INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
2024
The Mobile Electronics Association reports specialty retailer performance for the past three years and its forecast for the fourth quarter and coming year.
2024 V/S 2023
RETAIL SALES
WHAT TO LISTEN TO
The Long View
AVAILABLE ON: APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, GOOGLE AND STITCHER
Host Christine Benz and the them conduct relevant and understandable conversations as they talk to influential leaders about investing, advice and personal finance in a wide range of topics like asset allocation and balancing risk and return. A recent episode featured guest Jackie Cummings Koski, a certified financial planner, and author F.I.R.E. For Dummies. (FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early.) She states that people can still find financial independence if they start late or start small. Another recent episode featured Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist for Northern Trust. In his role, Carl prepares the bank’s official economic outlook and participates in forecast surveys. The episode focused on the health of the economy, the direction of interest rates and inflation and current conditions in real estate.
WHAT TO READ
How to Retire: 20 lessons for a happy, successful, and wealthy retirement
BY CHRISTINE BENZ
What are the secrets to a healthy, happy and wealthy retirement? To answer that question, Christine Benz asked 20 retirement thought leaders to go deep on a single lesson that they believe contributes to success in retirement. Benz, who also co-hosts a podcast called The Long View, shares these compelling lessons in her book with topics that range from nitty gritty financial matters to quality-of-life considerations that help pre-retirees and retirees maximize their “time on earth” allocations. Interviews review how your spending might change in retirement and ways to organize your portfolio for cash flow, plus how to get the most from social security and where to live when you retire.
WHAT TO READ
10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation and Making Your Own Life Easier
BY DAVID YEAGER
Managers, mentors, educators, and leaders: This is for you! Developmental psychologist David Yeager reveals the new science of motivating young people in this groundbreaking book. Yeager shares how to adopt the “mentor mindset,” a leadership style attuned to the need for status and respect. It’s easy to adopt the mentor mindset by validating young people’s perspectives, asking them questions, being transparent about beliefs and goals, and holding others to high standards. One of the biggest misconceptions about mentoring is that it takes too much time. On the contrary, those who use the mentor mindset end up with more time. Through back-and-forth conversations, young people feel empowered and managers can transfer responsibility to them. This is an essential read if you are mentoring someone who’s just started working professionally.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO
Past Gas
AVAILABLE ON: APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY
Donut Media’s Nolan Sykes and Joe Weber walk listeners through incredible stories behind cars and companies. Episodes include underground Japanese racing clubs, bitter racing rivalries, and how some classic cars came to be. A recent episode (#251) involved a discussion about “The Original SUV the Ford Bronco Copied.” Another recent episode (#245), “Hot Rods Were the Original Tuner Cars,” covers how the engine building and aesthetic work of hot rodders during their heyday ultimately kickstarted the aftermarket performance and car enthusiast media industries.
Announcing the Top 50 Installers, Top 50 Retailers and Top 20 Sales Pros of 2025.
Aaron Garcia
PERFECTIONIST AUTO SOUND AND SECURITY Anchorage, Alaska
Adan Martinez
BROKEN SILENCE CUSTOM CAR AUDIO Greenwich, Conn.
Alan Lindgren SPEED OF SOUND LLC Memphis, Tenn.
Andrew Buchok AUDIOCRAFT Lubbock, Texas
Andrew Sadowski
TUNES CAR STEREO CONCORD Concord, NC
Angel Rivera
LAKETOWN SPEED AND SOUND Draper, UT
Archie Speaks
SAVANNAH CUSTOM CAR AUDIO Savannah, Ga.
Arturo Ceballos AUDIO BY ART San Antonio, Texas
Austin Moore TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.
B.J. Curcio
BROKEN SILENCE CUSTOM CAR AUDIO Greenwich, Conn.
Ben Freeman TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.
Cabe Sipes
CUSTOM AUDIO REIMAGINED Rossville, Ind.
Callum Martin AV-DC PTY LTD Panorama, S. Australia
Carlos Ramirez NVS AUDIO Roselle, NJ
Chad Schreiber
SCHREIBER AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN San Diego, Calif.
Christian Herrera NOLA SOUND SOLUTIONS New Orleans, LA
Cody Warner CAR STEREO 1 Toledo, Ohio
Colin Buckeye AUDIO EDGE Scottsdale, Ariz.
Colton Wadley PRO AUDIO 4×4 Provo, UT
Conrad Leduc SUDBURY CAR AUDIO Val Therese, ON
Dalton Trainer CAR-TUNES, INC. Greenville, Miss.
Awards
Dan Castro THE CAR AUDIO SHOP St. Louis, MO
Dan Torres DTS CUSTOMS Palos Hills, Ill.
Daniel DiCampli WESTMINSTER SPEED & SOUND Westminster, Md.
Dave Koz TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.
Gabriel Rimel JML AUDIO OF ST. LOUIS Fenton, MO
Ian Churchill CAR TOYS Olympia, Wash.
Isaac Wood TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.
Jaime Palafox AGOURA AUTOSOUND Agoura Hills, Calif.
Jason Pawlowski MR. TUNES AUTO ACCESSORIES AND RESTYLING Ann Arbor, Mich.
Jason Singer PDA ROAD GEAR Littleton, Colo.
Jeremy Murdock ANDRE’S ELECTRONICS Salmon Arm, BC
Josh Thaxton DES OF WILMINGTON Wilmington, NC
Justin Hosek HI-PRO AUDIO Victoria, Texas
Kevin Feighery SPANKING CLEAN AUTO SOUND & SECURITY Norwalk, Conn.
Leon Winchester
VERNON’S SIGNATURE AUDIO Lubbock, Texas
Marcus Darden TINT WORLD Wilmington, NC
Mario Paredes M&M PRO AUDIO River Grove, Ill.
Michael Bischoff TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.
Michael Hungerford KARTELE MOBILE ELECTRONICS Waterbury, Conn.
Mike Martinez
VERNON’S SIGNATURE AUDIO Lubbock, Texas
*There are 51 in the Top 50 list as two installers tied in their scoring.
Nicholas Frazier INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS Wilbraham, Mass.
Oscar Rodriguez
OSCAR’S AUDIO DESIGN Corpus Christie, Texas
Rob Miller
JML AUDIO OF ST. LOUIS Fenton, Mo.
Rob Paterson HOT RIDES INC. Morrisville, Pa.
Roop Gossal INC RIDEZ Surrey, BC
Sam Walker WALKER AUDIO DESIGN Nampa, ID
Scott Eisner TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.
T.J. Carlson MUSICAR NORTHWEST Portland, Ore.
Terry Dawson TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.
William Pearsall DES OF WILMINGTON Wilmington, NC
Advanced Car Creations, Inc.
Garden Grove, Calif.
Amplified Autosports
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Audio Express, Inc Longview, Wash.
Audio Jam Inc Bear, Del.
Autosound Lab, Inc. Fresno, Calif.
Branded Customs Rockwall, Texas
Car Audio Engineers Sacramento, Calif.
Car Stereo 1 Toledo, Ohio
Clear Vibrations, Inc. Quakertown, Pa.
Custom Car Stereo Owensboro, KY
DES of Wilmington, Inc. Wilmington, NC
Efficient Integrations Republic, Mo.
Extreme Car Audio, LLC
Marrero, LA
Gregs Custom Audio & Video
Pikeville, KY
Hi-Pro Audio Victoria, Texas
Horizon Audio North Canton, Ohio
INNovative Concepts Wilbraham, Mass.
JC Audio Jackson, Tenn.
JML Audio of St. Louis Fenton, Mo.
Kartele Mobile Electronics Waterbury, Conn.
Kartunes Auto Stereo and Alarm
Seaside, Calif.
Awards
Kimballs Audio & Interiors Savannah, Ga.
Laketown Speed and Sound Draper, Utah
Mad Marks Bradenton, Fla.
Mobileworks Tintworks Santa Maria, Calif.
NET Audio Wichita Falls, Texas
Next Level Car Audio, Inc. Orlando, Fla.
NVS Audio Roselle, NJ
Ocala Car Audio Ocala, Fla.
Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security Anchorage, Alaska
Real Audio Erie, Pa.
Revolution Audio Pennsauken, NJ
Sanford Sound Sanford, ME
Signature Audio Scottsdale, Ariz.
Soreal Sounds Stoneham, Mass.
Sound Connection, Inc. Brainerd, Minn.
SoundsGood Auto Coquitlam, BC
Speakerbox Autosound & Accessories Huntsville, Ala.
Speakerworks, Inc. Orange, Calif.
Stereo and Video Center Tyler, Texas
Sturgess Customs Lexington, SC
Sudbury Car Audio Val Therese, ON
Traffic Jams Motorsports Buford, Ga.
Tunes-n-Tint Lakeland, Fla.
Tune-Town Sandusky, Ohio
Ultimate Innovations Kemah, Texas
Vernon’s Signature Audio Lubbock, Texas
Volunteer Audio Oliver Springs, Tenn.
Walker Audio Design Nampa, Ind.
Westminster Speed and Sound
Westminster, Md.
Angel “Jr” Rivera LAKETOWN SPEED AND SOUND Draper, Utah
Ben Turansky CLEAR VIBRATIONS INC Quakertown, Pa.
Bobby Gummadi SOUND OF TRISTATE Dover, Del.
Connor Kilgore DES OF WILMINGTON Wilmington, NC
Daniel Miller WESTMINSTER SPEED AND SOUND Westminster, Md.
Dean Beyett FIVE STAR CAR STEREO Clearwater, Fla.
James Halter STEREO AND VIDEO CENTER Tyler, Texas
Jamie Hurley SOUND OF TRISTATE Dover, Del.
Jeremy “Taco” Patterson SPEAKERBOX AUTO SOUND AND ACCESSORIES Huntsville, Ala.
John Brettle PRO AUDIO 4×4 Provo, Utah
Joshua Landau JML AUDIO OF ST. LOUIS Fenton, Mo.
Kimberly Osorto TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.
Kimberly Trainer CAR-TUNES, INC Greenville, Miss.
Kristin Bouldin DES OF WILMINGTON Wilmington, NC
Michael “Ace” Truong EXTREME CAR AUDIO LLC Marrero, LA
Parker Lopez CAR STEREO 1 Toledo, Ohio
Ruben Rivera-Arauz SOUNDSGOOD AUTO Coquitlam, BC
Taylor Widmer SPEAKERBOX AUTO SOUND AND ACCESSORIES Huntsville, Ala.
Te’Vonn Bailey EXOTIC SOUND & TINT Salisbury, Md.
Zach Abass AMPLIFIED AUTOSPORTS
St. Petersburg, Fla.
Devin Dial STEREO AND VIDEO CENTER Tyler, Texas
Isaac Schertzer DEVINE CONCEPTS AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN Naples, Fla.
Jeremy Overby AUDIO CRAFT Lubbock, Texas
Matthew Hipps SOUNDS GOOD MOBILE Flagstaff, Ariz.
Meghan Watson
VERNON’S SIGNATURE AUDIO Lubbock, Texas
Shawn Montgomery THE CAR AUDIO SHOP St. Louis, Mo.
*There are six in the Top 5 Rookie list as two rookies tied in their scoring.
Alan Lindgren SPEED OF SOUND LLC Memphis, Tenn.
B.J. Curcio BROKEN SILENCE CUSTOM CAR AUDIO Greenwich, Conn.
Conrad Leduc SUDBURY CAR AUDIO Val Therese, ON
Dalton Trainor CAR-TUNES, INC Greenville, Miss.
Dan Castro THE CAR AUDIO SHOP St. Louis, Mo.
David Doling TRAFFIC JAMS MOTORSPORTS Buford, Ga.
Fernando “Nando” Lopez FIVE STAR CAR STEREO Clearwater, Fla.
Jesse Mitchell SAFE AND SOUND MOBILE ELECTRONICS Manassas, Va.
Jim Rogers AUDIO INNOVATIONS Conway, Ark.
Ray West TITAN MOTORING Nashville, Tenn.
POWER @ 4 Ω : 8 X 165W RMS
POWER @ 2 Ω : 8 X 250W RMS
BRIDGE POWER @ 8 Ω : 4 X 330W RMS
BRIDGE POWER @ 4 Ω : 4 X 500W RMS
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 6Hz ~ 40kHz
CROSSOVER LPF: 45Hz ~ 850Hz
CROSS CROSSOVER HPF: 45Hz ~ 850Hz
OPERATING VOLTAGE: 9V ~ 16V
SNR: 114.7dB
INPUT SENSITIVITY (RCA): 0.4 ~ 10V
CURRENT DRAW (MUSIC): 88.3A
CURRENT DRAW (MAX): 176.6A
TOTAL EFFICIENCY: 80.44%
DAMPING FACTOR: 95.94
POWER CABLE: 21MM² (4 AWG)
SPEAKER CABLES: 2.5MM² (13 AWG)
RE REMOTE CABLE: 1.5MM² (15 AWG)
RECOMMENDED FUSE (MUSIC): 100A
RECOMMENDED BATTERY (MIN): 100AH
At KnowledgeFest Dallas this past September the Mobile Electronics Association proudly honored the inaugural class of the Mobile Electronics Industry Hall of Fame, honoring individuals whose contributions have profoundly shaped our industry.
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
S ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
elected by a distinguished nomination committee, including executive leadership from the Mobile Electronics Association, this first class is dedicated in memoriam of the manufacturing sector.
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards Hall of Fame recognizes leaders that made a positive and lasting impact
to the Mobile Electronics Industry and its participants.
As an industry we are forever grateful for their leadership and innovation that forged our industry. These visionary leaders have left an indelible mark on the mobile electronics industry, their innovations, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication have shaped the landscape of our industry and continue to inspire future generations.
JIM FOSGATE
Jim Fosgate was an Emmy Award-winning inventor and engineer renowned for his pioneering work in surround sound. Inspired by his father, a radio and television repairman, Jim developed a deep passion for audio and technology early in life. He built a portable radio from scavenged parts as a teenager, showcasing his love for sound.
In 1973, he patented the FOSGATE PUNCH EQ car amplifier, revolutionizing audio by addressing the mismatch between music and human hearing. This innovation became a hallmark of Rockford Fosgate’s sound, influencing products to this day.
In 2000, after working on quadraphonic sound, Jim improved stereophonic technology, which led to the development of surround sound—a term popularized by competitors, including Dolby Laboratories, which later introduced DOLBY PRO LOGIC II.
Jim’s work in surround decoding technologies reached over 500 million devices globally.
In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions, he received an Emmy Award in 2003 for his achievements in developing surround sound for television, solidifying his legacy in the audio industry.
LARRY FREDERICK
Larry’s career began at Altech Lansing Professional and Audiomobile before he joined Coustic, where he helped develop popular products. In 1989, he partnered with Keith Peterson at Phoenix Gold, transforming it from an audio accessory company into a respected brand known for high-quality products.
Throughout his career, Larry was a dedicated trainer, educating thousands of enthusiasts and installers worldwide. Known for his colorful teaching style, he famously used a Nerf gun to engage students. In the early ‘90s, he played a significant role in judging vehicles for ISACA events, emphasizing that only the driver’s seat mattered for evaluation.
Later, at Elettromedia USA, he contributed to the launch of the Bit One, the industry’s first serious aftermarket DSP, tuning over 250 cars to enhance their sound.
His decade at Diamond Audio saw him reestablish the brand as a leader in Harley Davidson audio.
During the pandemic, Larry founded Cicada Audio, named by his daughter, Catherine. The company quickly gained traction with the launch of the CH65 6-1/2” Coax Horn Loudspeaker and planned for 40 more products in 2023.
Larry’s passion and expertise left a lasting impact on the electronics industry, and his legacy will endure through the many individuals he inspired and mentored.
REESE HAGGOTT
Reese Haggott was a pivotal figure in shaping the mobile electronics aftermarket, working at Alpine Electronics from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.
Rising to the role of sales and marketing VP, he established a network of approximately 600 specialty retailers nationwide. Known for his relationship-building approach, he hosted national sales meetings in appealing locations like Hawaii and Mexico, helping to elevate car audio from a low-fi hobby to a robust market featuring high-fidelity components suitable for luxury vehicles like Lamborghinis.
During his tenure from 1978 to 1986, Haggott became senior VP and later worked with Eclipse and Coustic.
His bold personality and visionary style left a lasting impact on the industry. He created a distribution model that set the standard, requiring personal visits by Alpine representatives to authorize retailers. He also successfully encouraged home audio dealers to expand into the car stereo market. Haggott’s influence continues to resonate with many of today’s market leaders.
LOYD IVEY
Loyd was a distinguished member of the Consumer Technology Association Hall of Fame, known for his deep passion for car audio.
Despite his business expanding into a large commercial audio enterprise, he maintained a fondness for the 12-volt industry. He served as director of IASCA from 1985 to 1994 and was a board member for MERA, now the Mobile Electronics Association, as well as a past chairman of the CTA.
Loyd’s journey began at 16 when he left rural Missouri for Chicago, where he first worked at a wood mill making speaker enclosures.
He founded his own company in 1971, producing bookshelf speakers, and later established Mitek in 1979, launching the MTX car audio brand. Under his leadership, Mitek expanded to include notable brands like AtlasIED and others.
As an entrepreneur, Loyd grew his businesses through both organic development and strategic acquisitions, significantly impacting the audio industry.
His commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth transformed the careers of many employees, inspiring innovation and creativity within the industry.
Loyd’s legacy is one of mentorship and pioneering spirit, leaving a lasting mark on the world of audio technology.
ROB LIMBAUGH
Rob had a remarkable nearly five-decade career in the consumer electronics industry, notably as the Vice President of Business Development at KICKER Stillwater Designs, Inc. for 18 years.
Before KICKER, he held key roles at MTX, Polk Audio, Linear Power, and Pacific Stereo, shaping his expertise in sales and marketing. Beyond his professional
accomplishments, Rob was passionate about golf, storytelling, and travel.
He participated in the challenging “One Lap of America” four times and enjoyed organizing trips for KICKER, particularly to Mexico.
A devoted family man, he loved cooking and sharing his enthusiasm for Disney with his grandkids. Rob is
remembered for his innovative spirit, dedication to his career, and deep love for family, golf and engaging narratives.
TOM MALONE
Tom was a highly respected veteran of the consumer electronics industry who joined VOXX (formerly Audiovox) in 1986 as a product manager for car security. Over three decades, he rose to become President of VOXX Advanced Solutions.
Known for his vibrant presence and unwavering belief in what could be achieved, Tom was instrumental in developing the car audio, mobile video, and advanced driver safety markets. His contributions and mentorship left a lasting impact on many within the industry.
A pioneer in several 12-volt categories, Tom’s strong work ethic and candid communication style made him a revered leader. He held a clear vision for the industry’s future and his legacy continues to inspire positive change.
Tom is remembered fondly for his passion, professionalism and the deep con nections he forged throughout his career.
Hall of Fame
KEVAN MORRIS
Kevan was a cherished member of the Pioneer family, beginning his journey with the company in 1984 after being recruited from Pacific Stereo.
He joined Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. in 1986 as a District Sales Manager for car electronics in the Pacific Northwest and spent the next 35 years rising through various sales and management roles, ultimately serving as executive vice president since May 2011.
His extensive sales expertise, strong leadership, and tireless work ethic were crucial to Pioneer’s growth in North America.
Known for his calm demeanor and integrity, Kevan earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues. He cherished his long career at Pioneer and valued the friendships he built along the way.
His legacy lives on in the strong relationships he fostered with customers and the many staff members he mentored throughout his tenure.
Hall of Fame
MICHAEL SOMMA
CLYDE PODRAZA
Clyde began his professional journey at Motorola and went on to hold executive roles at Panasonic, International Jensen, Recoton, Dual Electronics, and AAMP Global, amassing over 25 years in the 12V industry.
As a founding partner at Dual Electronics, he served as a top executive for a decade, establishing himself as a key figure in the 12V sector during his tenures at Jensen and Dual.
Clyde spent his final years at AAMP Global before retiring in 2020. His contributions significantly shaped the industry, marking him as a respected leader throughout his career.
Somma began his career after serving honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II, opening a television sales and service shop with his brother-in-law. A graduate of Brooklyn Technical School, he built and sold his first television while studying, which marked the start of his entrepreneurial journey.
After the war, he founded Metra Radio and TV, which focused on selling and installing car radios at a time when cars typically lacked built-in radios. Recognizing the complexity of installations, Somma innovated by standardizing the design of installation kits, streamlining the process significantly.
He foresaw the potential of FM technology for high-fidelity sound, which guided his innovations. In the 1950s, as demand for installations grew, he pivoted Metra towards manufacturing radio kits, replacing installation bays with equipment to produce these kits. He expanded the company by hiring engineers and establishing a national sales force.
In the early 1960s, Metra introduced MetraVox car radios, but Somma eventually shifted focus back to installation kits, realizing they were the company’s true profit center.
Metra became a public company in 1969, solidifying its place in the automotive industry through Somma’s vision and leadership.
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
Buford, Ga.-based Traffic Jams Motorsports recently completed a remodel of the showroom. According to owner Yamil Widy, the staff installed new soundboards featuring MSC and JL Audio products.
“We split the shop into two different sections. We have every-day audio, and we have another section for high-end audio,” he said. “We try to send everyone to the high-end audio, but we have another section for more price-conscious equipment.”
The goal is to allow potential clients to experience the options available to them: “We wanted to let them feel, hear and touch it, and see what high-end audio does, how it works and how it sounds. Once they hear how their car can sound, it makes it easier for us to sell the higher-end equipment,” Widy explained, adding that some shops will show a box
or hand over a speaker, without offering the opportunity to listen.
Traffic Jams hasn’t always followed this model, he added. “We didn’t have that. We had it on a shelf.” But if people can’t listen, he said, “It makes no sense.”
Aside from the showroom makeover, Traffic Jams is also working on making its bay climate-controlled. Over the years, the team has collectively prioritized other things, such as purchasing a 3D printer and scanners and a CNC. Finally, air conditioning is being installed, and the business is in the midst of trying to expand its overall footprint. With more space, Widy said, the shop will be able to incorporate more services. “Right now, we have one big door where everything comes in, and the car goes to whatever section is needed—mechanical, window tint, wrapping, upholstery, car audio.”
To keep drawing in new clientele, Traffic Jams continues to host its summer event, Java and Jams, every third Sunday of the month. Attendees enjoy coffee and music. “We open our doors and let people see what we do,” Widy said, adding that he wants to show clients the reason behind the cost. “Once they see the process, they understand. We have all the latest equipment to do things the new way, and we’re trying to teach people that this is how car audio should be done.”
During the event, the team demonstrates the CNC, lasers and 3D printers. “Most people think car audio is still done like back in the 1980s, and they don’t realize it’s become very complicated,” he added. “Once they see what it takes, they have the confidence we can do the job—and we can do it properly.”
THE COST OF QUALITY
Salespeople discuss top sellers and how to overcome price objections.
MOSCONI DSP AEROSPACE
Submitted by: Nicholas Frazier, iNNovative Concepts, Wilbraham, Mass.
Main Selling Features: “The explanation of the benefits of getting proper signal processing in their vehicle. Explaining the presentation of the music, like it was intended by the artist. Sitting in your car, shutting your eyes, and getting the overwhelming feeling that you’re attending a concert just for you.”
Primary Objection: “The main objections are price add-on and whether they feel they really need it.”
How to Overcome: “First we explain why they need it, what it accomplishes, and more importantly we bring them out to one of our demo vehicles, we ask for their favorite song, the song they’ve heard a million times. Then we play it. We play the shit out of it. We give them the listening experience they didn’t know they could get, they maybe didn’t even know was possible; then we ask if it’ll be cash, check, or charge.”
SYSTEMS BY MSC DISPLAY
Submitted by: Jesh Jesty, Sound Evolution, Texas
Main Selling Features: “Our in-store demonstration has been elevated due to this product. It was the display and the equipment from the Systems by MSC for our demo truck housing equipment from the brands they distribute. This gave us the opportunity to demonstrate with confidence and gauge the customer, based on their reaction and aided us in the system design process. Other than the price, for the customer, I believe being able to actually sit in a similar vehicle as theirs and listen to some of their favorite music as we demonstrate and audition through some of the presets helps them decide and takes the guess work out of the purchase process.”
Primary Objection: “I believe the primary objection regarding some of their lines at our store was the brand recognition. Within the industry and clientele familiar with the lines, they were aware of the quality of the products and what all went into the manufacturing of it. To a regular walk in client, we had to sell the brand as they were unaware and are used to a lot of mainstream brands.”
How to Overcome: “Getting the right sales tools, demonstration displays, and POP materials, we overcame this objection and have been making sales effortlessly.”
TURY FAST MAX
Submitted by: Mike Hungerford, KarTele Mobile Electronics,
Main Selling Features: “One of the newest products that we have become fluent with is the Tury Fast Max. Vehicle thefts are really up around here and the fact that we have these live in our vehicles to demonstrate in real time makes it a No-Brainer for most clients. Clients like the Complete Petal Lockout. When I say those words, they tend to raise an eyebrow, then we explain exactly what that does and how it benefits them, the only next step is to enter their info into the schedule.”
AUDISON FORZA DSP AMPLIFIERS
Submitted by: Nathan Dunn, Cartronics
Main Selling Features: “This amplifier has all of the tools built into it that are needed to not only correct the audio signal coming out of your factory radio but also will allow for optimizing the audio signal being sent to your new speakers. This ensures that you will get the best sound possible out of your new sound system.”
Primary Objection: Price.
How to Overcome: “Showing the customer the difference between DSP Systems, standard amplifiers, and no amplifier options using our in-store DSP displays. Also explaining to the customer that choosing a less expensive option prevents us from providing the best sounding system.”
KENWOOD EXCELON REFERENCE DMX958XR
Submitted by: Chien Phan, Area Sales Director, Freeman’s Car Stereo
Main Selling Features: “This radio has just about every feature you can ask for, so it meets our customer’s needs in a variety of ways. One of the best features is the wireless capabilities with wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, Hi Res audio and
mirroring. We always try and pair this with the Maestro MRR so the client can get vehicle information on the radio, as well as the Kenwood Cmos-740HD camera for the best resolution when backing up.”
Primary Objection: “We typically do not get many objections on this unit. If there is one I would say the price the customer
sees on the sales tag at the beginning of the sales presentation. This objection quickly goes away as we explain all the features it has and how they will benefit the client. We are able to build value of this product to the client so much so by the end of the presentation price is no longer an issue.”depth of 242mm (9-1/2”), and it’s available in 2 by 2 and 2 by 4 ohms.
IT ALL ADDS UP
Kimberly Trainer, owner of Car-Tunes, balances budget, business and family with a faith-based credo, crediting Burger King for the start of her business education.
WORDS BY JAMIE SORCHER
Numbers are Kimberly Trainer’s thing, from her first job in a fast-food restaurant to purchasing Greenville, Miss.based Car-Tunes, Inc. As she sought opportunities and worked hard, her career flourished. By connecting with a series of mentors, she gained inspiration from people who’ve also helped grow her business. These connections and subsequent growth helped her evolve personally, professionally and even spiritually.
“When I was teenager back in the 80s, every one of us had a fast-food job,” she said. “So that’s where I started, at Burger King. Every kid should have a fast-food job because then they’ll thoroughly appreciate whatever they go on to do next. I don’t know what it’s like now, but back then I worked my buns off for $3.10 an hour.”
Burger King turned out to be much more than a paycheck— proving pivotal because Trainer was able to move up quickly. “I was 17, and by then I was a shift manager. I learned a ton of the real-world stuff it takes to run a business. I was doing paperwork and hiring new employees, so I learned what to look for on applications.”
Trainer also ran sales reports, learning how labor percentages should look and what cost ratios should be. “By the time
I went to college, I was doing paperwork for eight locations for a franchise owner. Back then—and this is before we had computers—I was figuring manually and writing everything down on clipboards. I was able to gather the necessary information for all the restaurants and compute it. It came naturally to me.”
Burger King was an important first step for her, she said, adding that it “opened my eyes” to the reality of owning or operating a business. “When I started college and majored in accounting, I was offered a job in the loan department of a bank,” she said. Trainer spent several years working at the bank, which she added was her “first true experience” in the professional world.
“I was working with numbers,” she said, adding, “and just from being in that environment, I knew I wanted to invest in my own business.”
Find Those Who Will Help Build a Solid Foundation
In 2001, Trainer purchased Car-Tunes, Inc. First established in 1984, it was an old-school, classic car stereo shop. Trainer knew about it because she’d been a customer there, herself, and when the opportunity arose, she went for it. She said the store is unique compared to many others in the industry.
“Of course, we all diversify a bit, to make sure we have the right product offerings,” she said. “Lots of stores have lift kits, tires and accessories, all of which are very profitable. But in my market, that’s plentiful. I’ve never met another 12-volt shop that sells musical instruments and equipment like we do. We sell guitars, keyboards and strings.”
This category, she added, attracts many clients who might not have otherwise visited the shop. “We can always tell when a musician that comes in. They just have a different vibe. They’re very cool people and very laid back.” The business also offers their services to churches and schools, she noted. “It’s a good addition to 12-volt. It’s in keeping with everything else we do. If someone likes music in their car, they’re either a musician or in a church band or car audio enthusiast, so it all goes together well. Plus, we’re in the south, so music is a big part of everything here.”
In talking of mentors who shaped the way she runs her business, Trainer noted Eddy Kay: The principles he taught, she said, gave her the foundation for sales processes. “I still use many of those lessons in the showroom with clients and staff.” She remembered driving all the way to Memphis to attend Kay’s sales training event. Although she’d attended other trainings, she said this was different: “It was strictly focused on sales. It made such an impression on me.” Eddy Kay was the recipient of the Career Achievement Award through Mobile Electronics magazine in 2018.
Through Kay, Trainer also learned an essential lesson about preparation. “If you have company coming over to your house, you pick up your clutter,” she said. “You want your guests to see your best. But in your showroom, you have
guests coming over every single day, so you need to apply the same principle to your showroom as you do to your home. Your store needs to be neat and tidy because people are coming in. That stuck with me.”
When entering the store, she comes in the front door with the goal of seeing, smelling, hearing and experiencing the space as though she was a customer: “I’m always doing something new in our showroom because when I walk in, I want to have that ‘wow’ experience. If you can do that for your clients, you’re halfway there. Keeping the showroom clean, fresh and interactive is a priority for me.”
On occasion, when dealing with the public, a customer might be less than complimentary: “How do you react to it?” she said, noting that one of Kay’s lessons on “learning to be the red oak tree.” If someone is upset when they come into the store, she added, it’s not personal. “Listen to what the client has to say. Ask them what you can do to help them feel better. Don’t ever get offended.”
At the end of the day, she added, the goal is for “the client to be comfortable to make their purchase with us.” The easiest way to gain a client’s trust and confidence,” she said, “is to ask questions. Before you know it, you’ve completed the sales process and they’re out the door with a receipt.”
Another of Trainer’s mentors is Solomon Daniels, former editor-in-chief of Mobile Electronics magazine, among other roles in the industry. Daniels opened his own marketing and communications agency, SDG, in 2010.
“I had the opportunity to have oneon-one training with him,” Trainer said. “This was back when email marketing was becoming more popular. We talked about different methods and my goals. Solomon is a big part of the industry with his editorials full of wisdom. His encouragement, and working with him, made a positive impression on me.”
Sometimes it’s necessary to change how something is done, or to try something new, she said: “Working with Solomon began a transition that paved the way for email marketing, text marketing and kinds of digital connections that
we didn’t have before,” she explained. “We still rely a lot on personal contact. We take time with our clients to interact and talk, but sometimes automation can get information out quicker and to more people.”
This is especially helpful with a smaller staff, she added. “You have to find ways to be efficient.” While the business’s approach has evolved since they first delved into digital marketing, Trainer noted that it’s greatly increased the team’s efficiency.
Build Your Friend Circle…and Circulate
Trainer met Mike Cofield, president of Austin, Texas-based Custom Sounds through her membership with M.E.S.A. Over the years, she said she’s learned a lot from him about sales, inventory control and procedures both in the shop and in the showroom.
“I created my own programs based on a lot of his teachings and adjusted as necessary for my staff and client needs. His influence has elevated my business structure and efficiency tremendously.”
Additionally, Bryan Schmitt, CEO of Tempe, Ariz.-based Mobile Solutions, has served as a mentor to both Trainer and her son Dalton, who is the shop’s lead technician and fabricator. Through Schmitt, Trainer learned important strategies to apply to shop procedures and presentations with clients, “all of which has resulted in higher labor rates for a higher standard of installation quality,” she added.
As her son Dalton grew in the business, he sought out Mobile Solutions for formal fabrication training. “It continues to be a resource for new emerging techniques, training and tools, to bring into our facility.”
Underscoring the importance of networking at industry events, Trainer noted that she met both Cofield and Schmitt through association membership. “The best place to find a mentor or get guidance about your career is KnowledgeFest,” she said, adding that she feels this event applies to everyone in the industry. “Being a part of M.E.S.A. and attending their summits is wonderful for me and for our business, but we
[use that] to focus on running the business. KnowledgeFest, however, is for every facet of the industry.”
She urged installers, salespeople, vendors and business owners to attend. “KnowledgeFest has been one of the best ways I’ve found to pass along and share knowledge with others. If everyone in the industry has better showrooms, better shops, better product offerings and better interactions with clients, then our whole industry will grow and this will help to attract younger people,” she explained. “Sharing knowledge is what makes everyone in our industry better at what they do.”
The Key? Kindness and Generosity
When mentoring employees in her business, Trainer said she wants to equip them with the tools they need to be confident, thereby helping them to thrive and succeed.
“I spend a lot of time working our new hires,” she said. “On their first day, I give them a pre-made sheet with 10 questions on it. I ask them to take the sheet home.
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The next day, I’m going to ask them every question. The 10 questions are the most common questions a customer will ask if they call on the telephone or when they walk in the door. I want my new hires to know the answers because if they’re prepared, they instantly feel more confident.” Trainer noted that she learned the basics of this questionnaire approach from Mike Cofield.
She’s also gained inspiration from Steve Irby, the founder of Kicker. “Just by seeing how well he communicates with his company—[through that alone] he’s probably had the biggest impact on me of anyone else in this industry.”
During events with Irby, when meals are served, Trainer said everyone stops and says grace before eating. “I have
huge respect for him. I have witnessed his kindness and generosity with his community, staff, dealers and his dedication to the Lord in his everyday interactions.” She added that she aims to run her business with the same Christian principals. While numbers are in her background, Trainer feels that working those numbers isn’t the key to more money or success. Instead, she said, the key is to be kind and generous: “Set aside money in your budget for Christmas bonuses for your staff. Put aside money for some kind of community donation. That should always be part of running your business.”
While she’s dedicated to her family and her business, Trainer said her daily inspiration comes from her number one mentor: God. She begins each day with a
devotional lesson, which she said “allows me to have the right perspective when I engage with clients and staff. It helps me to make business decisions honestly with the proper goals in mind.”
Over the past 23 years, Trainer has tried to soak up any knowledge others are willing to share, applying that information to her business as needed. Although mentors came later in her career, she’s ready to give back.
“I’m happy to share what I’ve gathered and what’s worked well for me to collectively keep our industry strong. Presenting at the M.E.S.A. Summit and several KnowledgeFest events has been my privilege,” she said. “I hope I can pass along information that will help others in their career paths.”
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THE BUILDING BLOCKS
There
are many aspects to building a business on a solid foundation, poised for
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
growth. Here are just a few.
Top educators and presenters in the mobile electronics industry often distill sales strategies into a few basic values: Know your responsibility to the customer, share your knowledge with others and create memorable experiences.
John Schwartz of Perfectionist Auto Sound in Anchorage, Alaska advised retailers to look within: When things go well, people sometimes become complacent. It’s important from time to time, he said, to ask oneself, “Am I being average?”
“Here’s what ‘team’ means: ‘Together, everyone achieves more.’ Everyone should know the goal. Where are you? Where do you want to be, and what excuses are you making?” he asked. “What changes do you have to make?” It’s essential to consider these questions and act upon them, he added.
In this month’s Strategy and Tactics column, KnowledgeFest presenters share their thoughts on growth, educating the customer and offering memorable experiences.
SHARE
YOUR CHALLENGES TO HELP OTHERS GROW
Some people might be nervous when it comes to discussing their challenges. During a past KnowledgeFest class, presenter Drewbie Wilson advised attendees not to be afraid: People want to hear about our struggles. It’s relatable.
“People will see how you changed your life, and that’s inspiring,” he said. “People would love to do business with you if they hear and relate to your story.”
He also noted that some people in smaller towns feel like no one will care about their social media pages, so they don’t put time or effort into them or share those anecdotes that might be of help to someone else.
“It’s not true. Try it anyway.” He recommended thinking about it from the perspective of the potential client: “If they are going to follow your story, why?” he said, adding, “They’re getting some kind of emotional fulfillment from that story line.”
The same goes for the business: “Have you had really good times and you want to share, but you’re worried people will think you’re bragging?” More importantly, he said, “What am I doing to be value-driven, to educate and entertain? If you don’t share that
story and talk about the things you’ve overcome, how can you inspire the next generation to do the same thing?”
When it comes to deciding what to post, Wilson advised taking a moment to think about an experience and extract the story or the lesson. “That can bring a lot of value. Take the time to tell the story. Show them how they can avoid what you went through. Vulnerability is a super-power. Being able to talk about how you overcame a challenge is inspirational.”
The growth, he added, is slow and steady. It takes time and consistency, which Wilson said will “make you the authority in your marketplace.” By making people aware of the mission, what’s offered and the business’s core values, it’s possible to reach the right audience through social media and increase revenue.
“When we focus on service, we know we’re helping people,” Wilson said, adding, “and that’s ultimately the biggest thing we can do in the world.”
LEARN THE BEST WAY TO ADVISE CUSTOMERS ON
FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES
Presenter Vinnie DeStefano let retailers know that it behooves them to be as knowledgeable as possible when it comes to assisting customers or educating them about financing opportunities. When it comes to financing, he said, “You have a fiduciary responsibility to the customer. You want to make sure they go into that loan with their eyes wide open.”
He suggested creating example templates that salespeople can refer to. “Go
through the contract and find anything problematic buried there,” he advised, adding that when a salesperson signs up a client for financing, they should make certain the client reads and understands the fine print.
Years ago, he said, he knew a salesperson who sold a $300 product for $1,500—and even managed to get a tip. “He was proud of that,” DeStefano said, adding that he reminded the salesperson
that a customer will tell everyone they know about a bad experience. Instead, he explained, “hold yourself to impeccably high standards. Look out for your customers. You’ll be able to sleep at night, and it’ll pay off in the long run.”
A representative of Snap Finance added that customers who are approved for financing with higher interest rates often have negative credit. “We’re giving them another chance, and this is the cost,” he explained, underscoring the fact
that paying on time will help clients to rebuild their credit, leading them back to financial stability.
Fully informing the client, DeStefano said, also protects the retailer: “The client won’t blame the lender,” he said, adding, “They will blame you if something goes wrong. You’re the person who sold them the loan.”
He said that while it’s the buyer’s duty to conduct research and be aware of pitfalls, not all buyers may find the answers. “A good salesperson will know where those issues are,” he said, adding, “Take a stock contract and highlight the things the customer should know about. If their credit rating isn’t that good, the interest rate may not be that good.” Sometimes, he said, it’s okay to let a customer walk out the door.
“If they’re about to make a bad decision, and if you can stop them, you will have done the right thing,” he explained. “Your customers may not start out as your friends, but if you do your job right, they can end up that way. Financing can be an incredible tool, but it can also be a minefield people can fall into. Providing an accurate map of where the mines are will be good for them—and also good for you.”
CULTIVATE MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES
While leading a class presentation, Jody Culbertson of 5 Axis Innovations asked attendees to consider the number one brand in their store. After a pause, he said, “It’s your brand. That’s what matters. There’s a lot of credibility in the brands you carry, but at the end of the day, the only brand that matters is yours.”
Kimberly Trainer of Car-Tunes, Inc. agreed, noting that her business’s logo is everywhere in their store: “We sell great brands, and they’re all different, so you want to bring them under your brand.”
Many businesses, she noted, have stopped using business cards. “I like to give them something they can put in their hand and take with them,” she said.
“ ”
-Kimberly Trainer The stronger the desire, the quicker it’ll sell and the more they’ll spend. When we play music, you can see the emotion come over them. People start dancing and smiling. Create an atmosphere—a mood that will make that person want to purchase.
“It should have your picture on it. When you’ve given them a card with your face on it, it will help them remember you. We take a photo of every person on our staff and put them on a card, and we hand them to our customers.”
When it comes to logos, images should always be high-resolution, Culbertson said, adding that a lower-resolution logo might be difficult to read or display. “It won’t cost you thousands,” he said. “It gives you accessibility when you’re creating ads or t-shirts, so the images are all ready to go.”
Trainer noted that perhaps having a blurry logo is worse than having none at all, adding, “People notice those details.”
Trainer and Culbertson both reminded attendees to talk to their manufacturer reps for assistance. “If you go to your vendor and say you want to sell more of their product, they will say, ‘This sounds fantastic!’ They’ll help you find a way to
pay for that new display. This is where a good relationship with a manufacturer’s rep will come in handy because it’s a win for everyone.”
Culbertson noted he’s heard from retailers who say a fresh, new display makes them more professional. “You’re showing them exactly what that product can do,” he said. “You can talk for 20 minutes, and they may not understand it. But with an interactive display, they’ll get it in 10 seconds.”
When designing the showroom, Trainer said, think about creating a desire for customers to want what’s being sold. “The stronger the desire, the quicker it’ll sell and the more they’ll spend. When we play music, you can see the emotion come over them. People start dancing and smiling,” she said, adding, “Create an atmosphere—a mood that will make that person want to purchase.”
TRAVELING
TRAVELING IN STYLE
When a client requested a build for off-the-grid travel, DES of Wilmington responded with a stealthy design in this 2022 Mercedes Sprinter.
SUBMITTED BY:
BRANDEN SHULER, DES OF WILMINGTON, WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
DES of Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina recently completed its biggest build ever—a 2022 Mercedes Sprinter 144 Dually. According to Branden Shuler, president of the company, the customer wanted a “hybrid mix,” a vehicle that would appear rugged on the outside, but luxurious on the inside. “He also wanted to be able to live off the grid with solar panels,” Shuler said, adding that the van features Starlink for highspeed Wi-Fi. The client also requested six high-end scheel-mann orthopedic seats. There’s a Webasto heater and an off-grid solar charging system. The high-end audio system features SPOD touchscreen for all auxiliary electronics, AudioControl amplifiers and Focal Access speakers with a 10-inch Focal subwoofer, 3M Thinsulate Acoustic Thermal Installation and MESA Sound Dampening throughout.
“There’s also a motorized seat in the back that reclines into a bed, and a rack system allows for another bed to create bunk beds.” Additionally, Shuler said, the vehicle has a full Escort Line Ci 360C radar detection system and a remote start. Everything is seamless and concealed, giving the appearance of a simple passenger van.
The team also created custom-made cabinets, which hide all the electronics. The cabinets are covered with leather hides. “We also did the hardwood flooring, paneling, custom lighting and LED lighting that changes colors. All the cupholders also have custom lighting. There’s USB-A, USB-C and cigarette lighter ports at every seat with hardwood countertops, and a rear foldout MobiFrame bench seat.” The van also has an Adventure Wagon complete ceiling and a wall package with custom oak slats and RGB LED strip lighting, along with black upholstery on the walls.
The entire build, off and on, took six months to a year. This was in part due to the fact that the seats took a long time to arrive, Shuler said. “They were held up for about three months,” he explained. “We did all the exterior work first.” This included Nerf bars, a new, larger bumper with a brush guard and a roof rack with
six Piaa lights and a ladder, as well as a Fiamma powered awning with LED lighting which opens at the press of a button.
“There are scene lights all around the van, so if he’s camping, he can turn
those on.” Finally, none of it runs off the vehicle itself. The build features an auxiliary 280-amp alternator, he said, adding, “The next day, he can easily crank the engine and drive off.”
FROM THE PRESIDENT
“ Our industry is filled with passionate people who have a strong desire to learn from one another. KnowledgeFest was born from the desire to make the industry better and to have that shared knowledge translate into an awesome experience for the consumer.
OVER THREE DECADES OF EDUCATING
The past informs the present. As we move into the future, let’s take a look back at thirty years of KnowledgeFest™.
Celebrating 30 years of service to the industry, the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is proud to continue its important mission. KnowledgeFest began with the premise of 12-volt retailers helping other 12-volt retailers. In 1992, a manufacturers’ representative from the Midwest, Randy Strunk of Creative Sales & Marketing, organized a meeting between three retailers. The objective was to convince them to upgrade their stores. Joe Cavanaugh, of Stereo West in Omaha, Neb., shared his idea for integrating a “WOW factor” into store design.
Looking Back at the Beginning of KnowledgeFest
As a response to known issues in our industry, the founders held a meeting to understand the need and how best to address it. As a result, one of the Kansas retailers made major changes to the interior of his store, as well as marketing changes, and held his first-ever private sale for preferred customers. His overwhelming success prompted Strunk to arrange for other retailers in Missouri and Kansas to visit this retailer’s store in February 1993. Over 20 retailers attended this networking meeting, the first of its kind. Over the next few months, other meetings were organized. Finally, in 1994, the first “KnowledgeFest” was held at a Lake of the Ozarks resort in Missouri. Over 150 independent mobile electronics specialists attended. By 1996, over 300 people were going to KnowledgeFest. The event’s primary purpose was to educate and train retailers, especially installers on installation techniques, and to provide a place for networking and the exchange of ideas and best practices in business. Success and growth of the event continued, including the addition of a trade show floor where manufacturers’ products could be exhibited.
A membership association, the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA) was created to serve the mobile electronics specialists and support the KnowledgeFest event. As retailers looked for new business opportunities to expand their product mix and complement 12-volt electronics, other product categories for vehicle enhancement were added to MERA’s focus and the association changed its name to the Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association.
The Future of KnowledgeFest in Flux
Then, in 2009, things took an unfortunate turn: the event was cancelled due to waning support brought about by a tough economy and its impact on the retail marketplace. After considering several options, the association and the event were
eventually sold to the owner of InstallerNet who chose to make an investment into the organization to restart KnowledgeFest and redefine MERA as simply MEA. That new association’s membership is now vertically integrated to include those who make, sell and install the product. To enhance communication and support MEA and KnowledgeFest, an established trade publication, Mobile Electronics® magazine, was added. Other media holdings, including Hotwire and websites were also added.
The Rebirth of An Industry Tradition
One date will live on in my mind: October 10, 2010 (10/10/10). It was my first KnowledgeFest as president of the organization. Expectations were high. The industry needed continued education and organized vendor training to invigorate growth. The event launched in a new location, as well—Dallas, Texas. The Dallas event launched with 33 exhibitors and over 500 attendees. The rest is history.
Established for Our Future
The MEA mission is to educate, inform and empower the industry. Our primary focus is to help you grow your business. Our educational events are designed to provide you with the latest information to help you advance your business. MEA is the only association dedicated to the specialty retailer channel. Our industry is filled with passionate people who have a strong desire to learn from one another. KnowledgeFest was born from the desire to make the industry better and to have that shared knowledge translate into an awesome experience for the consumer. It’s become the destination for new products and new technology. KnowledgeFest is now coast-tocoast, kicking off each year starting in Las Vegas, Nev. then on to the East Coast in Atlantic City, New Jersey and finishing the tour where we started in 2010, in Dallas, Texas.
Don’t Miss It!
Hearing success stories from retailers drives us to expand opportunities for learning. That’s why we made the decision to have more KnowledgeFest events. Having multiple events opens opportunities for every employee of a specialty retailer to connect with others, learn new things and network with both new and existing vendors. Don’t miss our celebration at the Las Vegas event starting January 31, 2025. Make an investment in yourself and your business to learn, connect and grow both professionally and personally. I hope to see you there!
Never Before Eyes on Your Car Like
